KUCHING: More help is on the way from the Federal Government for Penang flood victims.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid said apart from mobilising security personnels for flood evacuation operations, the government is also looking into providing other form of assistance to those affected by floods in the state.
He said the government via National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) will exhaust its resources to provide immediate financial aid, food, medication and other forms of help to Penang flood victims.
“These assistance will be provided within six hours after instructions (to evacuate flood victims) issued to the agency.
“Responding to the assistance sought by Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng at 3.33am today, the Federal Government had immediately deployed soldiers, police and the People’s Volunteer Corps to the scene.
“At 12.41pm today, I was informed by Lim Guan Eng that the flood rescue operation are already on the ground to assist the people in Penang,” Zahid, who is also the Home Minister and Nadma chairman, told reporters during his visit to the Sarawak police headquarters in Jalan Badruddin here today.
Deputy Home Minister Datuk Masir Kujat, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Douglas Uggah Embas, State Local Government and Housing Minister Prof Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian and State police commissioner Datuk Amer Awal were present.
Zahid said he had also instructed the National Security Council director-general General Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin to coordinate the rescue operation.
He also urged all quarters not to politicise the assistance provided by the Federal Government to the people in Penang.
“Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Najib Razak) and myself have a common stand that the Federal Government will provide help anyone any state in trying times irrespective of their political affiliation.
“As a fair and responsible administration, the welfare and wellbeing of the people is our top priority.
“We are colour blind when providing help to the people in need regardless of the political affiliation, race and religion. We will help everyone.
“The Federal Government is committed to help the flood victims in Penang and we are doing everything that we can to help them in this trying times,” said Zahid, who is on a day-long whirlwind tour to Sarawak.